EU leaders gather in Brussels to discuss European election result

EU leaders meet on Tuesday afternoon in Brussels during an informal dinner of Heads of state or government, to discuss the outcome of the European Parliament elections, held last Sunday in the 28 member states. Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades is also attending the meeting.

According to the indicative programme by the European Council, the meeting will start at 20.00 Cyprus time (17.00 GMT), while at the end of the dinner, President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy and President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso will give a press conference.

In a letter to EU leaders last week, Rompuy noted that it would be too early to decide on Tuesday about the European Commission President that will succeed President Barroso.

He noted however that the discussion will focus on the process leading to the European Council proposing a candidate for the future Presidency of the Commission to the European Parliament for election, as set out in the Treaty on the EU.

The outcome of presidential election in Ukraine and the G7 meeting in Brussels are also expected to be discussed.